Post Office Inquiry: former union boss branded 'aggressive and belligerent' during tense exchange

[@doubleplusgoodthinker9434]

As a retired trade union official I find the attitude of this man appalling. He is clearly in the pocket of the Post Office.

[@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730]

Wow your insight is so inspiring, defo not a sheep 🐑

[@ChrisM541]

@@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730 wtf!

[@doubleplusgoodthinker9434]

@@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730 Thank you.

[@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730]

@@ChrisM541 literally I agree wtf 😬 with this mob mentality. Caroline Flack anyone. Keyboard warriors usually unfortunate in other departments have this mental mentality

[@johntomlinson6849]

@@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730 You know all about being mental, mate.

[@daydays12]

He talks as if he was an employee of the PO and not a union man. My word! He is horrible.

[@cassandratq9301]

HE WAS! Per contract, ALL UNION EXPENSES WERE PAID BY POL.

[@andydudley1775]

@@cassandratq9301 yes big red light .they should demmand payment back .this is like the call center set up to have one job.

[@02smithm1]

Sadly, I've met senior people in unions and learnt that this man is not unique.

[@timothywilliams4089]

@@cassandratq9301 Gorbals Mick!

[@Pmrace1960]

thats true if you cut out the first part of his testimony no one could guess he wasnt employed by the post office

[@brunopetit9538]

In short a bully and a thug who has been found out big time

[@nezbrun872]

Definitely a supreme example of an attack dog.

[@cassandratq9301]

Another "union head" in bed with the bosses.

[@trevorhart545]

@@cassandratq9301 Paula Vennels and Rotwieller Thomson what a horrid thought ?

[@Trevor_Austin]

VOTE LABOUR and get a government full of these @rseholes.

[@w1swh1]

You've stolen my line!!😀What an evil and disgusting person, a first class thug!!He and Vennels belong together.

[@charleskirk5102]

So basically he was an informant for the Post Office rather than a representative of Union members. A thoroughly disgusting individual.

[@chrisbevis7725]

No I won't have that - I mean after all he sent all the members an e-mail to warn them about an upcoming audit! Apparently the sum total of his achievements on the public dime!

[@keithwebb658]

He'd be in the top 20 of POL rogues gallery.

[@glennwall552]

We had two union folk like him as a good unionist we voted to sack them lol Head office refused to fire them for snitching on members. But instead we got proper representatives on our side those two got it after mass meeting exposed their treason

[@lightningtwostrikes4317]

He was worse than an informant. He was a liar.

[@nigelstone6032]

Is he dead ​@@chrisbevis7725

[@TheComputec]

Narcissist and bully. Imagine being a sub-postmaster being wrongfully accused and prosecuted by the Post Office and this guy rocks up to "represent your interests" and low and behold, he tells you to pay up Imagine also how angry you would be if you now found out he's gagged his own union from sharing the known problems just for 30 pieces of silver... disgraceful traitor

[@chrisbevis7725]

He is not smart enough to be a narcissist and is just an evil bully imo!

[@probro9898]

This is the very definition of "darkening counsel".

[@alistairmcgregor8820]

I think George Thomson's base line was that the subpostmasters were guilty until proven innocent.

[@cassandratq9301]

100%

[@waterboy8999]

Just guilty

[@ashhowardgolf3865]

Absolutely correct, I worked for Royal Mail and that is exactly the culture that RM/PO have, you are GUILTY until you prove your innocence. Amazing how that is exactly at odds to our criminal justice system.

[@trevorhart545]

GUILTY even after proven Innocent as long as he got HIS MONEY , and I don't mean his salary! Q. Have the Police checked his Bank Accounts or is that where the "lost money went" ?

[@rosssimpson6268]

Pre Horizon, that was the correct approach, as the entire 'transaction' was conducted with the SPO. With Horizon, the accounting side of a SPO was removed (to a central computer system) from SPO control with no change in the responsibility relationship that should have happened.

[@sewsimple101]

He sold his members out. What a disgrace to unions. I am ashamed coming from a family of union members.

[@atz075]

Trade association not a Union

[@Lynnefromlyn]

Don’t be! He is one person and there are many many more who diligently do their best for their members.

[@klackon1]

It's not that unusual. UNISON sold quite a few of us down the river over payment for weekend working: we only found out when our salaries were paid into our banks. The executive had made a secretive deal with our bosses, but had not even notified the conveners. There were quite a few red faces.

[@MRJERRYCURTIN]

Me to

[@trevorhart545]

Arthur Scargill is the "classic" example of ME, ME and ONLY ME. Always took FULL PAY, FREE HOUSE and PERKS throughout the strike AND refused to move out of the FREE HOUSE after resigning. GREED or AVARICE?

[@Tizzy-s9g]

He should have been kicked out of the inquiry for contempt. An utterly revolting individual. At least seeing his evidence we can understand how this catastrophe actually came about

[@cassandratq9301]

Once his group accepted funding from POL on the condition they couldn't take any actions which brought bad publicity to POL his hands were tied. Obviously, this particular chap cared more about his own position than representing his members. (And viewed his responsibilities were more to POL than to his own members.) Obviously, that contract should have never been signed. But, once it was, his liability for failing to protect members effectively disappeared, so sadly, he's not technically liable for anything.

[@margaretfitzgerald1489]

Absolutely

[@motiveintentionsincerity]

🎯

[@donaldeaston9564]

I saw earlier that his salary was around £500,000 (needs fact checked), but it wouldn’t surprise me…he was in bed with Vennells. Every email he had, was forwarded to Vennells within minutes. A Vennells lapdog.

[@MrTelboy1962]

Conversely I believe the enquiry teams did exactly the right thing, leaving him there to run his mouth. He clearly demonstrated the lack of support experienced by paying member from him and his organisation.

[@stephenphillip5656]

Good grief, with Mr Thompson as their representative, the SPMs stood *no* chance of ever getting a fair hearing in any dispute regarding shortfalls in their accounts. He'd been totally housetrained by POL. Shame on you George.

[@mikebeardsall7388]

Rather appropriate that he's come dressed as a humbug.

[@barryjessop9422]

An absolute embarrassment for a Union Representative Utter contempt for his membership

[@cassandratq9301]

Please listen to all of his testimony (and that of the previous witness) to discover that HIS SALARY - AND ALL UNION EXPENSES - WERE PAID BY POL AND NOT FROM MEMBERSHIP DUES.

[@donaldeaston9564]

Cassandra…I saw a quote that he was paid £500,000 a year. Needs fact checked, but probably true

[@patpat4317]

@@donaldeaston9564 500k salary and couldn’t afford a suit and a tie. What a thug.

[@gorillafilmmakernow]

Not a union its a trade association funded by POL

[@Brian-om2hh]

@@cassandratq9301 Well what a surprise......

[@danielocallaghan8201]

He was meant to be representing the interests of sub-postmasters and defending them? What a vile and repellent person.

[@Pmrace1960]

he didnt make any sense.....he kept saying there was nothing wrong with horizon...then sir wyn told him both fijitsu and PO admitted the system was deeply flawed and when asked does he accept that he said yes

[@Oceans_Sail]

I think you are being too complimentary towards him!!

[@korpiz]

The personification of corrupt union leader, utterly disgusting and pathetic.

[@GradKat]

I agree. I’m surprised he hasn’t been made a member of the House of Lords.

[@lllordllloyd]

Disgusting. Any union (wo)man knows that many who claim unfair treatment have brought it on themselves. In such cases, we guard their rights as they stand. But equally, EVERY case needs careful consideration because a lot of cases are an abuse of rights. Thomson is reprehensible, he is a bosses' puppet. Keir Starmer would like him, probably.

[@ukdave57]

@@GradKat maybe that is what he is aiming for

[@philthompson1097]

@@GradKat next month perhaps

[@meridianleeward6370]

To make a return when Rayner takes over Labour.

[@williamfortune755]

As a Scot I’m embarrassed by this man’s attitude and aggression. It’s plain for all to see that he was totally under the control of Vennals. His efforts to avoid the questions through diversion is disgusting

[@OH2023-cj9if]

I'm shocked as a vegan.

[@weecookie44]

Wonder how much the PO paid this one on the side....

[@gjek6355]

I was a Union representative that tried my hardest to represent and protect the rights and livelihoods of all I represented for 20 plus years. This man is talking with the mindset that he was employed by the post office and was in the pockets of the Post Office. I could not of sat in the same office as this man he is as guilty as his managers . I personally think this man’s financials need looking at sooner rather than later. He is a traitor to all he represented

[@jackspring7709]

I agree completely. How people like him manage to worm their way into positions of trust will always baffle me - always has, always will.

[@jeremyroberts39]

I watched this guy ALL day today. Not once did he say ANYTHING in support of, or to demonstrate how he supported his MEMBERS. He just supported POL and drew a salary!!!! Not a good advert for Unions!!!!!!! 😡

[@dougfraser77]

In fact many times he said "I make no apologies..." for being cosy with POL.

[@allanthorpe7139]

A disgrace of a man

[@nezbrun872]

@@dougfraser77 I lost count of the number of times he said that. He's a sociopath.

[@andrewallen9993]

A perfect advertisement for what unions really do.

[@nezbrun872]

He was very good at going off on rambling tangents, restating a handful of stories that had little if anything to do with answering the question, and everything to do with presenting his own one-man monologue machine. He also still believes that Horizon is and was robust, while at the same time accepting that there were "bugs, errors and defects which had the capability to cause balancing losses". The TL;DR is that yes, he was well paid for being Vennells' useful idiot. The NFSP received/receives from POL: £500,000 in 2013-14, increasing to £2.5m between 2017 and 2028.

[@Greensleeves1234]

What a thoroughly unpleasant man.

[@w1swh1]

Unpleasant is an understatement, however I respect and agree with you comment.

[@Brian-om2hh]

@@w1swh1 As do I......

[@scepticalsaint]

An absolutely disgraceful performance by Mr Thomson.

[@cassandratq9301]

What else can he say?

[@liamhemmings9039]

I was about to say this myself. From how he was dressed, to his inability to answer simple questions.

[@hecateswolf6007]

His attitude only adds to the disgrace of the post office

[@memyself717]

@@cassandratq9301 he could start by not denying facts and trying to gaslight everyone in the room.

[@ajs41]

This is what happens when very stupid people are over-promoted to important positions.

[@KevinRowe-v1h]

What a horrible individual. And he was supposed to be protecting Post Masters/Mistresses!! Disgraceful

[@drinksafewater]

Excellent questioning - This witness so clearly failed the SPM's and his Union - Quite a dangerous man to be on a lifeboat.

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

What a thoroughly unpleasant person Thompson is.

[@leroysimon5692]

👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@johnharmar-smith2262]

So,so right😢!

[@martinbcooper]

Thomson made an utter embarrassment of himself throughout the day. With that clown at the helm It's little wonder the subpostmasters received no help from the NFSP. He spent the whole day defending his dearly beloved Horizon and Post Office, trying to score personal points. The subpostmasters in the audience all walking out of the room while he was ranting at the end of his evidence says it all.

[@DVG922]

He was totally unprofessional in his behaviour in the witness box.

[@NatalieTimeBank]

He did make a wonderful example of the dumbest person in the room believing he was the smartest.

[@johnworkman2743]

That guy is not a union man, he is a company man and doesnt give a hoot about any of his members only himself.

[@allanthorpe7139]

Typical post office appointment then

[@Jack-hy1zq]

Union men ARE company men. He has accidentally revealed this widespread truth.

[@DerrickJenkins-s6c]

​@@Jack-hy1zqNot true union men with integrity. Get your facts right.

[@cassandratq9301]

Exactly!

[@honved1]

@@Jack-hy1zq You havent had much experience with unions then

[@jampot20000]

What accountability is there for awful people like this...he should be prosecuted.

[@jimmybeegood]

He was tipping off the post office, behind his union members back. FFS he's in trouble.❤

[@mikejones-tf6zo]

what goes around

[@idparkinson]

What a terrible and disgraceful attitude from a man in the pocket of the PO. He should be ashamed of his views and of the way he spoke so disrespectfully at the inquiry

[@laurieharper1526]

So he, who was supposed to be defending his members, threw them to the wolves. What a creep. A disgrace to the trade union movement.

[@johnbradshaw7525]

What an obnoxious person.

[@ajs41]

He's obnoxious because he knows, deep down, that he's too stupid to be doing a responsible job, and is always afraid of being found out.

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

As a retired elected union rep, I’m absolutely appalled at this man’s behaviour. Defensive and clearly not interested in members. Not how most unions and those of us lay members behaved!

[@Taz6688]

A lot of unions are like that now, thats why memberships are falling, instead of trying to protect members they just take the cash

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

I was a union rep until 2015 and had to stop due to ill health (at 37). I remain a member of my academic union and can only tell you that at least mine tries to fight for our sector and members. I have witnessed others that are not so motivated.

[@Taz6688]

@@sebastianohalloran9093 I had an accident at work, after some time was offered an amount, the union refused to counter or go to court, they said 'There was an offer, they were only interested in wins' going to court was not an option, they refused point-blank, the company was at fault, they never followed their own rules, without union support I had to accept an offer lower than a woman told she had nice legs, I am now permanently disabled. All they wanted was solid wins and no fights, out of court settlements, long gone are the days of unions fighting for workers rights, some blame must lay with Thatcher and unions losing power, but with no union support even No Win No Fee would not touch the case.

[@portcullis5622]

The problem with many unions is that the representatives are in the pay of the same companies that employees are having a lot of trouble with. In my case, my union rep is on the same, lowly pay grade as myself, so is unlikely (maybe powerless) to ruffle any feathers or to question the employer too much, for fear of being punished.

[@tarmac245]

I was a long time member in unions. This individual's personality is not uncommon within union leadership.

[@fc4660]

I am a Scot so I feel I can say that this guy is absolutely typical of the 70’s era Scots mainly Glaswegian union bosses who got into the game for power and recognition, something they never had gained on their own merit. Self-serving. Imagine having to listen to that absolute nonsense on a daily basis?

[@rsf5898]

fc4660 - true. It’s like going back in time seeing him.

[@davebarclay4429]

I grew up in the shadow of Ravenscraig and I agree 100%. There were a few exceptions (Gavin Laird springs to mind) but most union bosses were exactly as you describe them.

[@sylviaparker9010]

Its an easy job, and getting paid just remember the union bosses for the miners.

[@itsrickyschannel.]

He is so brash, he makes me listening to the accent I unfortunately share with him sound so bloody pompous.

[@guywithhisownopinion]

He's from Tranent in East Lothian but yes he's a dinosaur u ion thug

[@jeffreyloftus3617]

The fact that the union he formally worked for refused to fund a solicitor to accompany him a former top official at today's inquiry hearing speaks volumes

[@cassandratq9301]

Not quite right. He testified that they wouldn't supply a solicitor because he wasn't willing to toe the "only apologize line".

[@donaldeaston9564]

The last KC who supported the Union actually told him the current members essentially, had no faith in him, and didn’t like him.

[@gorillafilmmakernow]

Not a union

[@t.dmytryshyn2615]

@@cassandratq9301 He was told to apologize and he wouldn't because he thinks he's right. The fact is both the PO and Fujitsu have admitted that they lied that there were bugs from the very beginning of the roll out of Horizon that created wrong balances in the Post Office accounts. This inquiry is NOT looking at previous problems or Post Masters who took money before Horizon, this inquiry is about the bugs and deficiencies in Horizon and that those people were wrongly sent to jail or persecuted in other ways by losing their companies and their reputations because of flaws within the system and that is what he is refusing to admit. He and his fellow Board Members took the side of the Post Office that there was nothing wrong with Horizon. They ignored the complaints about the system all together.

[@rsf5898]

@@gorillafilmmakernow - true in part - it was a ‘Union’ until it lost such status.

[@Lyndalewinder]

I'm glad I don't have that man representing my interests

[@hecateswolf6007]

With friends like him you don't need enemies

[@hecateswolf6007]

With friends like him you don't need enemies

[@charlotte583]

@@hecateswolf6007…you can say that again, he’s vile 😂😂

[@elliottfireice4394]

Do you want to have a friend like that??

[@J8207]

He is absolutely out of touch with the current situation.

[@gogovideo10]

The irony in him belligerently and aggressively refuting the line of questioning when he's accused of being belligerent and aggressive is just beautiful. A comic couldn't have written a better scene. I needed that laugh, I really did. Hope that one goes down in the history reel.

[@kevind6956]

Why are they all so arrogant. This bloke is another example of the remorseless bullies that enabled this scandal to go on for so many years.

[@davidjohnrobinson2887]

No tie, no jacket, no respect just plenty of gob.

[@fireskycam9889]

Gobshite more like it.

[@rsf5898]

Perfectly dressed to portray his true nature. His mouth was awful even when noise wasn’t emerging from it.

[@fatfreddymaorihuntergather2530]

You forgot no brains!!!

[@jamesbunyan9781]

Another PO oxygen thief. A waste of space.

[@christopherhood9241]

totally agree

[@adenwellsmith6908]

What do you think his angle is?

[@JacintasChromebook]

@@adenwellsmith6908 I think he knows he's going to jail and thinks he can avoid jail by pretending to think he did nothing wrong....nobody can be as morally bankrupt as he is pretending to be surely lol

[@adenwellsmith6908]

@@JacintasChromebook Morally bankrupt? yes Nasty piece of work? yes Criminal? Hard to see the offence unless its a civil case for taking the fees under false pretences. As I right this, the civil case would be interesting. The PM's lawyers play this to the jury. They point out the jury has lost lots of money because he failed. The very last question he was asked was very very telling.

[@jamesbunyan9781]

@@adenwellsmith6908 Money from the PO.

[@8-Bit-Retro]

Welcome to the 1970s Trade Union Official. Imagine having to deal with this person in a vulnerable state as a SPM

[@Neil_Gibson]

They say bullies are the ultimate cowards and this guy is a prime example. He was there to fight for the sub-postmasters but he took the path of least resistance and sided with the Post Office for his own easy life!!

[@CatholicSatan]

A truly awful man who sucked on the corporate teat, repeated the corporate mantras (including word salads with "franchise", "brand", "going forward" etc.) and was utterly derisory of the likes of _Sir_ Alan Bates.

[@cassandratq9301]

Sure did himself no favors with his testimony.

[@nezbrun872]

@@cassandratq9301 I'm pretty certain, as he's a sociopath, he'll think he did a great job.

[@ShaneAstley]

Agreed, "everyone's a fool except me". ​@@nezbrun872

[@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730]

@@nezbrun872I think he was fab

[@ethzero]

Nice emphasis on the _"Sir"_ 👍

[@tracyalice2117]

This man should have been sacked on his first day. What a complete and utter embarrassment!

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

The impression I received was that he ran the Federation as his own personal Fiefdom.

[@MightyShrew.]

They would never sack him because they realised he just wanted the power, so they stuck him on a leash, gave him perceived power and then used him to decieve the spm's for their own gain. This guy needs jailing for manuipulating spm's to admit guilt causing them to be charged. I wouldnt even let him walk my dog, never mind look after the interests of people

[@mikewhipps3161]

aggressive and belligerent in plain sight

[@cassandratq9301]

Certainly "oppositional".

[@paulrichards6894]

his argument is its works well today so every post master must be a crook....doesnt he realise these bugs and glitches are now fixed

[@tonybye8293]

The shameful attitude of this individual is exactly why we have this scandal.

[@JL-yg8gl]

After becoming a shop steward i quickly learned about this type of union man. In the bosses pocket, and deep. Its one of the reasons i resigned as a representative and would never stand again. They are corrupted by the power they think they have.

[@RobertHoward-d8g]

Probably the most obnoxious crook I've ever had the displeasure to have seen. Absolutely disgraceful demeanour. My sympathies to all he ever came into contact with. He says, "To be honest with you...." This man couldn't be honest if they gave away free jube-jubes with every truth told!

[@JohnYoull]

This guy is a joke

[@SaxonSuccess]

He doesn't make me laugh.

[@paulrichards6894]

first person who didnt have any dementia problems and basically saying all post masters were thieves.....what a horrible man

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Like the dumb angry bully in the classroom. A complete imbecile.

[@Paul_C]

Doesn't look he's got all ducks in a row. He should do money python from his jail cell.

[@kumarjayaram5575]

He is a thief who stole from sub postmasters from their subscriptions and lined his with it while sleeping with Paula V. This is a ploy of the union you can buy them off by licking the CEO ass.

[@MrSamuelArthurRobertAllen]

Another smug individual who needs jail time

[@JacintasChromebook]

do you think he will see jail?

[@MrSamuelArthurRobertAllen]

@@JacintasChromebook we'll see

[@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730]

For what sticking up for himself. You are deranged . 😢

[@leroysimon5692]

👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@paulrichards6894]

of all the people in this inquiry he is the one I most want to get jailtime even more than paula v

[@gdrums7733]

So they let him out of the asylum for the day and took him off his meds a week ago. Hand picked by post office to be there inside man. Vile human.

[@alistairogden2336]

The result he thinks he is a top union official who has helped his members……a very unpleasant man…..

[@enuclear]

It’s like stepping back into the 1970s. He is another stark example of why Britain is broken.

[@jasperfish666]

Exactly!

[@stewartross1233]

Spot on!

[@davidpearson243]

Brexit has broken Britain

[@andyb7963]

Just like red robbow at British Leyland, pretending to be on the side of the workers, but is actually doing the work of the management

[@ajs41]

@@davidpearson243 This scandal was going on a long time before Brexit.

[@alankennedy9673]

He worked for the PO from the age of 15 and sounds like a ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’. Caught out, by the Chair, denying facts that PO and Fujitsu had already admitted were true! What a total company lackey!!

[@hugolindum7728]

When he worked licking stamps aged 15, he was at his level of ability.

[@rogerbarr9977]

This arrogant self centred Post office bully is a joke. Does he really believe what he has said during this enquiry questioning. If so, he is a misguided individual who should be ashamed of himself . This man was supposed to be representing SPMR ,s

[@motiveintentionsincerity]

🎯 🎯 🎯

[@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730]

😂😂😂😂😂😂keyboard warrior strikes again 😂😂😂😂😂

[@AllanRaymond-ku8gl]

@@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730 Oh not you again?

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

I see only one keyboard warrior on this thread and unfortunately under many other comments on here. 🙄

[@TheNightOwl-ef7ih]

@@blackwaterposeidonthewhipp7730 Yes, you keep doing it! Have you escaped from somewhere, or is it your Carer's day off?

[@debramckay4611]

I've watched this over and over and still can't believe the arrogance of this man. He should be prosecuted 😠

[@nthnmonkey]

Still fighting on the side of and making excuses for, the Post Office Bosses. This "Union Man" is an absolute disgrace.

[@nobbyclarke9298]

Totally arrogant & shows total contempt to this enquiry……..disgraceful attitude…

[@martinmcdonald4207]

He will be dealt with for his attitude alone. This chancer is jail bound, with the rest of them.

[@hugolindum7728]

@@martinmcdonald4207 Unfortunately nothing will happen to him. He’s an aggressive bully and no doubt the rest of the over paid union is the same, but he’s done nothing actually illegal. Perhaps the most unpleasant person seen yet.

[@Pmrace1960]

i doubt anyone will be jailed

[@jimmyadams628]

BULLY,BULLY,BULLY

[@alankennedy9673]

He was described as “aggressive and belligerent”. He disputed that description but when giving his responses he clearly exhibited both traits throughout, for all present to see. Completely devoid of self awareness!!

[@JeanRinger]

Alan you are spot on He showed his true colours

[@ianevans2917]

His sloppy dress and attitude just says it all.

[@andreahay467]

I would have expected a union rep, being told by a struggling post mistress that she was borrowing money because the post office pay was too low, would have supported members to fight for better pay. My dad was a union rep, including CWU, and that's what he would have done. This man is a thug for Post Office. What was he making?

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

Still defending Post Office Limited not the sub postmasters

[@helsonwheels5175]

A more revolting, abhorrent human being, than Mr Thomson you'd be hard-pressed to find.

[@mickeyred]

Oh I dont know. A fair few paraded here in recent weeks. Obvious exceptions though.

[@exdoode]

@@mickeyred Yeah! I was thinking the same. He looks and sounds grotesque but the actions of others are at least on par with him and in many cases worse.

[@mr.coolmug3181]

Paula Vennells.

[@peterbennett5910]

He did nothing apart from looking after himself. This man should be arrested immediately

[@Oceans_Sail]

Lock him up!

[@DavidBowman-fu6yo]

So arrogant and vile to the extent its obvious he doesn't recognise the position he has now portrayed and the lack of respect shown. I just hope there are consequences

[@gillgill2851]

Watch his full interview, you will see that he was sending Vennells and others emails tipping them off. His belligerence and arrogance is bluster to cover up for his guilt

[@chrisgray7335]

God help the members when this idiot is in charge.

[@Bigaitch]

Spot on....I would not want this moron on my side.

[@claredavies764]

George Thomson is a disgrace to the union movement. He did not look out for his members and his aggressive approach to the Inquiry is just, well, appalling. I found his attack on Alan Bates absolutely staggering... the man has no awareness at all....

[@mikejones-tf6zo]

another little despot, who got caught out

[@telsurrey1]

He answered all the heart-rending letters from his members with a standard 'cut-and-paste' reply praising Horizon. Despicable human being.

[@jonathanmurphy6520]

Wondering how much he was paid by the post office.... bet there was a significant amount!!!

[@gerardhampson9089]

When the prosecutions come as i hope they do, this guy should be one of the ones going prison .

[@nmurphy02]

He thinks he was being clever, instead he has exposed himself for what he is. A dishonest bluffer and b s artist

[@charliekelly1920]

His accent is Scottish and he is an embarresment to Scotland. Nothing but a self serving Judas who didn't give a jot about the people he was supposedly representing as there"s no doubt he sided with Vennel's and co. every step of the way.

[@oiooi6460]

It was jaw dropping how stupid, belligerent and corrupt this man was

[@Jez1963UK]

It was so jaw dropping, I've been back three times to rewatch, I thought I'd imagined it.....

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

I was an auditor in the post office pre Horizon and I can assure you that the numbers he quotes are TOTALLY incorrect. He definitely worked hand in glove with the post office.

[@denise4487]

Thank you thats what i thought after listening to that vile creature

[@Goldenpirate964]

The most belligerent union rep. Also he was a PO toady. How the hell did he become a union official?

[@neilg6675]

I find this is the general attitude of union bosses. They're business people that have found a different way of gaining a bit of power and relevance within businesses. Unite give the impression they have no interest in the workers, just themselves, and i suspect this guy and his colleagues are exactly the same. This guy is still blaming his members, the people his job is to represent, and absolutely nails the mentality of union bosses and reps I've come across. Head in the sand, i might lose my cushy job if i rock the boat mentality

[@SamiHassanAl-Beik]

HE is absolutly WORTHLESS

[@johnenglish929]

Can you imagine being a SPM; paying your union fees for years; being falsely accused of stealing; asking your union for help and then getting a visit from someone with this attitude. Unbelievable!

[@Neil-clare]

Wow what a 🤡 still defending his actions after stabbing their own members in the back……I bet he took a back hander from vennells to. his amount of aggressiveness towards the questions leads me to believe he is guilty of everything he is accused of.

[@jwwhispererjwwhisperer9787]

He speaks like a man that has been living in a box, and has just been let out. How could anyone have a chance of justice,, when he thinks the post office can do no wrong. Those poor people who had to suffer at his hands. Heart breaking. 😢😢😢😢

[@wendydevereux4375]

A family member was sacked on the spot and ostracised in our small town when £3,000 apparently went 'missing' no one has ever admitted it was a mistake by a computer not the family member

[@eljay5746]

He sounded more like an employee of the PO rather than a guy trying to represent & defend the members who were paying dues to his organisation. Such a vile creature.

[@cassandratq9301]

HE WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF POL! BY CONTRACT, HIS ENTIRE ORGANIZATION WAS FUNDED BY POL! Please listen to his entire testimony (+ that of previous witness) as to how that came about.

[@ConstanzeWeber]

My goodness, this inquiry has unearthed a parade of truly despicable people... here's one of the contenders for top spot in that regard.

[@paulrichards6894]

i watched andrew parsons last week and thought he was in top spot but this guy came along and blew parsons right out of the water

[@valhaynes858]

Wind bag and vacuously inept. Shameful.

[@JohnAdcock-tf7ld]

This union official was a disgrace he was not working with the post masters he was working for the post office unbelievable!

[@bablyjoe6904]

He's still defending the post office instead of his members 😮

[@julianorchard6129]

I was a union rep. What the hell is this man about!!!!!

[@radicallyrethinkingrailwaysina]

He's been bribed

[@fireskycam9889]

"Protecting the brand", as he said.

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

I was on the other side, but in my own dealings and negotiations with Shop Stewards and Union Officials in the 1980s, one consistent feature was that, whether in my opinion they were being reasonable or unreasonable, they believed they were arguing for the best interests of their members. This person doesn't seem to have the slightest interest at all in the welfare of the members of the Federation he ran.

[@michaelbruce5415]

I think that the impossible has happened today. Someone who beats POL managers as being a pariah.

[@Pmrace1960]

andrew parsons last week was an horrible witness but is a choir boy compared to this monster

[@landynut1134]

What an absolute disgrace, no wonder he couldn't get a Solicitor to help him. He demonstrated here why the NFSP were of no use to the SPM's. He showed exactly why they were right.

[@MrSmriley]

As corrupt as they come.

[@supergran1000]

The utter contempt he showed towards the Inquiry and Sir Wynn - accusing them of ineptitude.

[@Pmrace1960]

he done himself no favours and now probably top of the list to be jailed

[@jeremiahcoade6419]

Imagine this bully in a room full of people, shouting, with his do you know who I am attitude, an absolute disgrace to the trade union movement. Money missing, you stole it, end of case. You sorry excuse of a man.

[@mariannerussell5932]

Awful man!

[@moorhs69]

This monster needs to be locked up now, what a disgusting excuse for a human being 🤬

[@stevenfisher2254]

What a horrible man ! He's done nothing for the union members, a disgrace,

[@kalpat5753]

Why does he refer to WE when talking about the amount of money involved. Clearly he believes he is Post Office staff and did not represent the post masters as a union representative. He does not accept the fact that Horizon was faulty which shows he is a Post office company man.

[@momeara7482]

He was paid by the Post Office, and that's where his loyalty lay. A company stooge.

[@peteturner3928]

As a union rep myself, this guy is a disgrace and should be chucked out of his union. The whole idea of the rep is to protect their members from their employers maleficence not the other way round. Shocking performance too and his arrogance and attitude absolutely stinks (a few stuffed brown envelopes from PO found their way in to his hands me thinks!).

[@MRJERRYCURTIN]

Awful specimen

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

More than a few, me thinks he was enjoying many luxury holidays/cruises and the brown envelopes were probably a monthly occurrence.

[@adrianb5601]

What’s the point of this Man complete waste of space.

[@Steve62Jivatone]

What I don't get is that even Paula Vennels and the rest of POL's SMT accept the mis carriages of justice caused by Horizon, but this man is still defending it and attacking the very people he should have been representing.

[@JeanRinger]

How on earth do the lawyers keep from laughing at this Big Baboon he is so cheeky he is a Birdbrain

[@katemcgeough6339]

He shouted the loudest.

[@JeanRinger]

He did shout the loudest is he has the biggest mouth but no brain

[@baxtertia]

I dont think cheeky is how I would describe him .........